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UNIT 2c Follow the path. . Constructs, Variables, and Definitions. Concept or construct?. Concept expresses an abstraction formed by generalization from particulars. Construct is a concept consciously INVENTED or adopted for a special scientific purpose. . Operational definitions.
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UNIT 2c Follow the path. Constructs, Variables, and Definitions. Unit 2c Follow the Path
Concept or construct? • Concept expresses an abstraction formed by generalization from particulars. • Construct is a concept consciously INVENTED or adopted for a special scientific purpose. Unit 2c Follow the Path
Operational definitions • Assigns meaning to a construct or a variable by specifying the activities or operations necessary to measure it and evaluate the measurement. • Manual of instructions to the investigator. “Do such and such in a so and so manner.” • Example: “Intelligence is the score as measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition (WISC-III).” Unit 2c Follow the Path
Types of variables. http://www.365halloween.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/mad-science-lab.jpg • 1. The independent variable is varied and has a presumed cause on another variable, the dependent variable. Manipulated variable, under the control of the experimenter. The cause that affects the dependent variable. • 2. The dependent variable changes with the independent variable. • independent variable = x (the variable predicted from) • dependent variable = y (the variable predicted to) Unit 2c Follow the Path
Variables • Examples: gender, income, education, social class, organizational productivity, occupational mobility, and achievement. • Independent (cause, being manipulated) • Dependent (effect, observed) http://img.sparknotes.com/101s/psychology/01.3.variables.jpg Unit 2c Follow the Path
Example: High mother interaction with infants (x or independent variable or cause) during the first six months increases intelligence (y or dependent variable or effect). Unit 2c Follow the Path
UNIT 2 Follow the path. Chapter 5. Relations. Unit 2c Follow the Path
People who study communication are concerned about relationships: • Relationships between people. • Relationships between events. • Relationships between experiences and behavior. • Scientists are concerned about relationships, or what they more typically call "relations." Unit 2c Follow the Path
Relations in science are between classes or sets of objects. • Ways of studying relations include graphs and tables, plots, and correlations. End Unit 2c Follow the Path